m FELUX*. 



The Panther, P. Panku, Linn., Hamilton Smith ; Panthere, Cuvier. 



Panther of the AncienU, P. Pardiu Aatiyuonm, Hamilton Smith, 

 in Synopsis of Griff., CUT. 



Under the title ' Leopard' Mr. Swainson says, "Although the names 

 of Leopard and Panther have been long familiar in common language, 

 and have conveyed the idea of two distinct species, yet it is perfectly 

 clear that no scientific writer of the last generation either described, 

 or indeed appeared to know, in what respects the animals differed. It 

 seems that numerous specimens of what is called the Leopard are in 

 the Zoological Gardens, and one has been figured in the book so 

 entitled; but Mr. Bennett has not made the slightest attempt to 

 investigate the subject, or to throw any light upon this difficult 

 question. In this dilemma we shall therefore repose on the opinions 

 of Major Hamilton Smith, whose long experience and accuracy of 

 observation are well known, and whose authority in this department 

 of nature deservedly ranks above that of any other naturalist of this 

 country. The Leopard, as defined by Major Smith, when compared 

 with the Jaguar and the Panther of naturalists, is uniformly of a paler 

 yellowish colour, rather smaller, and the dots rose-formed, or con- 

 sitting of several dots partially united into a circular figure in some 

 instances, and into a quadrangular, triangular, or other less determi- 

 nate forms in others : there are also several single isolated black spots, 

 which more especially occur on the outside of the limbs. The 

 Panther, according to Professor Lichtenstein of Berlin, 'resembles 

 the Jaguar in having the same number of rows of spots, but is 

 distinguished by having no full spots on the dorsal line.' But, as 

 Major Smith observes, it does not appear that full spots on the dorsal 

 line always make a specific character of the Jaguar ; and the Asiatic 

 Leopard is sometimes distinguished by this peculiarity, though it 

 does not in other respects resemble the American animal. When 

 therefore it is said that the Panther much resembles the Jaguar, it is 

 always to be strongly suspected that the type whence the observations 

 have been taken is in reality an American animal." Mr. Swainson 

 then, after copying Major Smith's scientific description of the 

 Leopard, proceeds to say, " Our own opinion of the specific dissimi- 

 larity between the Leopard and the Panther, judging from what has 

 been written on the subject, is in perfect unison with that of Major 

 Smith ; while the following remark of that observing naturalist, 

 incidentally inserted in his account of the Panther of antiquity, 

 seems to us almost conclusive : ' The open spots which mark all the 

 Panthers have the inner surface of the annuli or rings more fulvous 

 (in other words darker) than the general colour of the sides ; but in 

 the Leopard no such distinction appears, nor is there room, as the 

 small and more congregated dots are too close to admit it.' In truth, 

 if there is any reliance to be placed in the most accurate figures 

 hitherto published, the small spots of the leopard and the large ones 

 of the Panther must strike even a casual observer, and lead him to 

 believe that the two animals were called by different names." 



\V 



Leopard (Ftla Lnpardnt 



In the ' Gemma; et Sculpture Antique ' of Gronovius there is an 

 engraving of a boy driving a car drawn by two Panthers, rather high 

 on tbrir legs, from a carnelian, headed ' Cairo di Bacho ; ' but 

 Oronovius thinks that though thin 'reda' may be attributed to 

 Bacchus, it may nevertheless be taken for a representation of one 

 from the Circensian games, for which opinion he gives his reasons. 

 Captain Symth, R.N., In bin interesting ' Descriptive Catalogue of a 

 Cabinet of Roman Imperial Large Brass Medals,' notices a medal of 



KKLID.& r*0 



Com mod us, on the reverse of which the emperor on horseback 

 galloping across the field, with a chlamys floating behind him, is in 

 the act of casting a dart at a Panther, which is ' showing fight.' He 

 also refers to the figure of a Lynx or Panther on the reverse of one 

 of Septimius Sererus, and to that of a Panther (among other animals) 

 on the smaller corns of Gallienus. 



With regard to the P. I'ardta An/it/uorum of Smith, Mr. Swainson 

 remarks that the species, if such it really be, is supposed to be the 

 animal known to ancient writers by the name of J'antlttra. It is 

 however, he adds, now so rare, or has been so little distinguished, 

 that Major Smith is only acquainted with one example, which is in 

 the museum of the elector of Hesse Caaael, in whose menagerie it 

 had probably lived. Nothing was known of its native country or of 

 its manners. (See H. Smith's description, including characters 

 intermediate between the Jaguar of America and the Panthers and 

 Leopards of the Old World.) 



Mr. Swainson also notices the Ounce in the same work, referring 

 to Major Smith's description, and regretting that that able zoologist 

 had not entered into further particulars. Mr. Swainson states that, 

 judging from the figure engraved from Mr. Smith's drawing, he should 

 term it a lower and more thick-set animal than the Panther; the 

 spots larger, more irregular, and much fewer, but differing more 

 especially in having the tail decidedly aunulated with black rings, 

 while those of all the Panthers are spotted. The body, he adds, is 

 described as whitish ; while yellow or fawn-colour is the universal 

 tint both of the Panthers and Leopards. 



In June, 1837, Dr. Gray brought before the notice of a meeting of 

 the Zoological Society of London some Mammalia which he had 

 lately purchased for the British Museum from a collection made by 

 the late Colonel Cobb in India, among which was an adult specimen 

 of the Once of Buffon (' Hist Nat.'), on which Schreber formed his 

 P. I'ncia, which has been regarded by Cuvier, Temminck, and most 

 succeeding authors as a Leopard, but which, continued Dr. Gray, " is 

 as a distinct species, easily known by the thickness of its fur, the 

 paleness of Us colour, the irregular form of the spots, and especially 

 by the great length and thickness of the tail" Dr. Gray observed 

 that a more detailed description of this animal was unnecessary, as 

 it agreed in all particulars with the young specimen described by 

 Buffon. 



Ounce (Ftlit Uncia). From the specimen in the British Museum. 



Of the manners of the true Leopards in a state of nature not 

 much seems to be known. They are very active, climb well, and 

 take their prey by surprise. In captivity they are playful, but apt 

 to be treacherous. Mrs. Bowdich won the heart of a Leopard by 

 kindness, and by presenting him with lavender-water in a card-tray, 

 taught him to keep his claws sheathed. The luxurious animal 

 revelled in the delicious essence almost to ecstacy ; but he never was 

 suffered to have it if he put forth his claws. We regret that our 

 limits will not allow us to give this lady's graphic account of her 

 amiable favourite ' Sai,' which the reader will find in London's 

 ' Magazine.' 



Among the larger Spotted Cats of the Old World we must notice 

 the Rimau-Dahan, P. macrocclu, Temm., Horsfield ; P. nebuiosa (t), H. 

 Smith, Griffith. 



This species partakes in some measure of the markings of both 

 the Tiger and Leopards, though it seems to be more nearly allied 

 to the latter than to the former. 



Probable size when full grown about 4 feet from the nose to the 

 root of the tail, which may be reckoned at 3 feet 6 inches ; height at 

 shoulder about 1 foot 10 inches. Colour whitish-gray, with an 

 inclination to ashy or brownish-gray, no yellow or red tint. Stripes 

 and spots dark, oblong, irregular, and broad on the shoulders, inter- 

 rupted and angular on the sides, posterior edges of the broad spots 

 and stripes mitrked by a line of deep velvet buck ; limbs stout, feet 

 and toes robust ; tail very long, large, and lanuginous. 



It inhabits Sumatra. M. Temminck thinks it is also found on the 

 continent of India, having received mantles belonging to the Diakkers 

 made of the skill of this species. 



The specimen brought to England alive by Sir Thomas Stamford 

 Raffles was taken when very young in the forests of Beucoolen, and 



